Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson, has warned that tensions with Pakistan have not fully ended and that renewed conflict could erupt if Pakistan again violates Afghanistan’s airspace.
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Mujahid said the Taliban do not seek hostile relations with any country, but stressed that Afghanistan would respond if attacked. “We do not want to damage relations with any country in the world,” he said. “However, if any country attacks Afghanistan or violates its sovereignty, it will be met with a response.”
He also claimed that Afghan territory would not be used to harm other countries, insisting that under Taliban rule, Afghanistan poses no threat to regional or global security.
The remarks come amid ongoing strains in relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban of allowing members of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghan soil an allegation the Taliban strongly deny. At the same time, Taliban officials have condemned Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan, describing them as violations of the country’s sovereignty.
Despite historical, religious, and cultural ties, relations between Kabul and Islamabad have long been complex. Following the Taliban’s return to power, expectations of improved ties were high, but disputes over border security, militant activity, and cross-border attacks have fueled mistrust between the two sides.
Mujahid’s comments signal that while the Taliban say they favor normal and peaceful relations with neighboring countries, they are prepared to adopt a hardline stance if Afghanistan’s territorial integrity is challenged a position likely to influence the future trajectory of Afghanistan Pakistan relations.
